Season opener: Richmond vs Carlton @ the MCG --- Round 1, 2023

[one-eyed]

Richmond assistant coach Andrew McQualter wasn't able to shed any light on just how long Prestia would be sidelined for, also indicating Tarrant and Marlion Pickett would be touch-and-go for round one.

Source: AFL website

[mightytiges]

Updating my rolling round 1 team. Sheesh not easy after today's "effort"

Tarrant not playing leaves a big hole and it sounds like he won't make it back in time. Young is not ready for AFL level yet and with Gibcus out, Miller will have to play in defence.

Pickett sounds like he will also miss. Clarke had his wing position today so will probably be vying with Hugo given Hugo had a strong game in the ressies. The issue is Pickett has a bigger body to win his own ball and is more a two-way runner. But we don't have much of choice other than Clarke or Hugo at this stage.

Cotch definitely doesn't play in the forward line. Maurice and Cumberland had poor games but I think Dimma will stick with them. Samson's last quarter cameo was a bit of highlight but there's no room for him in the forward line next to Lynch and Jack and Soldo seems ahead of Ryan as far as the ruck hierarchy. If Miller plays back then Soldo will most likely be second ruck.

Doubts on Ross and Graham being fit as well so I'll have to leave them out for now as. Touchwood, Prestia is okay for Thursday week  .

I've gone Dow as the sub.

B:    Vlastuin       Miller       Grimes
HB:  D.Rioli         Balta         Baker
C:    McIntosh     Prestia       Clarke
HF:   Bolton        Riewoldt     Martin
F:    Cumberland   Lynch        M.Rioli
R:   Nankervis     Hopper       Taranto
Int:  Soldo, Broad, Short, Cotchin
Sub: Dow

Emg: Ryan, Sonsie, Ralphsmith


Unavailable: Tarrant, Pickett, Gibcus, Ross, Graham.

[Tiger Khosh]

That’s probably bang on MT if those you noted as unavailable are actually that.

Could possibly see Hugo on the wing instead of Clarke with Clarke dropping to the bench, or if not Hugo being the sub instead of Dow.

I’d rather pick Ryan ahead of Soldo. I don’t wanna harp on about it but I really don’t think Soldos ruck work is good enough to overlook his around the ground game. Atleast Ryan looks to have good forward craft to his game and by all accounts does as well in the ruck in the VFL that soldo does.

[mightytiges]

I'd prefer Samson to Soldo too TK as he's obviously more mobile around the ground but he hasn't been used this preseason as a chop out 2nd ruck at centrebounces for Nank. Samson has been positioned more as a forward.

If Short now misses with that calf then you'd think Hugo will definitely come in. I'd was hoping Sonsie would play round 1 but he's probably underdone. Dow will have to come in if Prestia misses  .
Short -> Hugo
Prestia -> Dow
Pickett -> Clarke

[one-eyed]

General Public tickets for our Round 1 match against Carlton have now sold out.

Club Members will be able to access General Admission areas by scanning their memberships.

https://twitter.com/Richmond_FC/status/1632517786395348992

[one-eyed]

Eyewitnesses tell me the MCG surface is muddy post heavy overnight rain and the two concerts.

It’s as per what the MCC predicted, a bit brown and muddy in patches.

Good weather in the lead up to round 1 has probably come at the right time.

https://twitter.com/TomBrowne7/status/1632577563196547073

[one-eyed]

Carlton may go with 3 debutants according to the Jon Ralph.

-----------------------------

Are the Blues prepping three youngsters for a baptism of fire against the Tigers?

CARLTON’S PREDICTED 23

B: S. Docherty, J. Weitering, M. McGovern

HB: A. Saad, L. Young, N. Newman

C: B. Acres, P. Cripps, A. Cerra

HF: Z. Fisher, C. Curnow, J. Silvagni

F: J. Motlop, H. McKay, C. Durdin

FOLL: M. Pittonet, M. Kennedy, G. Hewett

I/C: T. De Koning, O. Hollands, L. Cowan, E. Curnow

Sub: A. Cincotta


Notable absences: Sam Walsh (back), Caleb Marchbank (calf)

Jon Ralph’s selection dilemma: Michael Voss can reward the kids who have been so impressive this summer - Ollie Hollands, Alex Cincotta, Lachie Cowan - or return to the stalwarts?

Wingman Hollands, dashing defender Cincotta and hard-nut backman Cowan have been in the senior side in match sim all summer and again played against Sydney.

But missing from that side were Nic Newman, Harry McKay, Patrick Cripps - who are all certain to play round 1 - as well as Mitch McGovern and Jack Martin.

Both McGovern and Martin are available.

Lachie Plowman played 89 per cent game time against Sydney but if Newman and McGovern return it will squeeze out at least one of Cincotta, Plowman or Cowan.

Cowan, a rugged tight-checking defender with a lovely kick, will play plenty this year so why not reward him in round 1?

https://twitter.com/superfooty/status/1633017110837497857

[one-eyed]

Every AFL team’s best 23 for Round 1

HeraldSun
8 March 2023

RICHMOND'S PREDICTED 23

FB: R. Tarrant, N. Balta, N. Broad

HB: N. Vlastuin, D. Grimes, D. Rioli

C: J. Short, T. Taranto, K. McIntosh

HF: S. Bolton, J. Riewoldt, M. Rioli

F: D. Martin, T. Lynch, N. Cumberland

FOLL: T. Nankervis, D. Prestia, J. Hopper

I/C: L. Baker, B. Miller, M. Pickett, T. Cotchin

Sub: T. Dow


Notable absentees: J. Gibcus (hamstring), J. Ross (knee)

Jon Ralph’s selection dilemma: The Tigers haven’t ruled out Jayden Short (calf) but very few players overcome a strain in 12 days, so Jayden Short must be in real doubt for round 1.

The pacy Hugo Ralphsmith is a like-for-like but played VFL alongside Tyler Sonsie and Ben Miller.

Thomson Dow (73 per cent game time) and Judson Clark (79 per cent game time) got extended time in the first team and both looked at home.

If Tarrant doesn’t recover from hip issues the Tigers might consider mature-aged rookie Tylar Young, who played the entire game against Melbourne as a 196cm defender.

Samson Ryan played only a single quarter but looked the best aerial presence of the key forwards and with Ivan Soldo lacking impact could 206cm ruck-forward Ryan get the nod behind Toby Nankervis as a ruck-forward?

Plenty of issues still for the Tigers given Marlion Pickett (adductor) and Tarrant still have to prove their fitness.

https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/every-afl-teams-best-23-for-round-1/news-story/7cc14fa060295a17b567c20dce0e1354

[one-eyed]

Team Whispers: New recruits, fresh faces yet to debut at every club that could play in Round 1

Ben Waterworth
Fox Sports
March 8th, 2023

RICHMOND

Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto will come into Richmond’s Round 1 line-up and have an immediate impact. Taranto was especially impressive against Melbourne last weekend, booting one goal from 33 disposals, 13 score involvements and eight marks.

While the two ex-Giant bulls are clearly walk-up starters, the potential bolter is 24-year-old rookie Tylar Young, who’s been given ample responsibility down back in recent weeks. With Robbie Tarrant in some doubt to recover from a hip issue in time for Round 1, the Tigers might consider Young, who had none disposals, four intercepts and 11 spoils from a team-high 91 per cent game time against Melbourne. What a story that would be if the ex-Dolphin lined up on the MCG against the Blues.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-news-2023-round-1-teams-players-who-could-debut-selection-conundrums-supercoach/news-story/fbc7d6f0f51edd77e00d76ec29992fa9

[Andyy]

They make it sound like Young is a potential R1 debut, when everyone else who watched says he was miles off.

If Balta, Grimes and Broad isn't enough height then they should look at Biggie IMO.

Miller I would keep forward/ruck and not stuff him around.

[one-eyed]

MOCK TEAMS: Who's in your club's best 22 for round one?

afl.com.au
8 March 2023

Richmond v Carlton
 
MCG, Thursday, March 16 7.20pm AEDT

RICHMOND

B: Dylan Grimes, Noah Balta, Nathan Broad
HB: Liam Baker, Nick Vlastuin, Daniel Rioli
C: Kamdyn McIntosh, Dion Prestia, Judson Clarke
HF: Shai Bolton, Tom Lynch, Trent Cotchin
F: Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin, Maurice Rioli jnr
Foll: Toby Nankervis, Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper
I/C: Ivan Soldo, Thomson Dow, Noah Cumberland, Tylar Young
EMERG: Samson Ryan, Tyler Sonsie, Rhyan Mansell, Hugo Ralphsmith

NEW: Tim Taranto, Jacob Hopper, Tylar Young

UNAVAILABLE: Jayden Short (calf, test), Marlion Pickett (adductor, test), Jack Ross (knee), Jack Graham (toe), Josh Gibcus (hamstring), Kaleb Smith (foot), Jacob Bauer (ankle), Tom Brown (wrist), Mate Colina (back), Jason Castagna (retired), Robbie Tarrant (hip)

NOTES: Richmond has a number of players who are touch-and-go for round one, making this a very tough team to predict. Prestia (pec) could be replaced by Sonsie if not fit, while it's looking like a debut for VFL recruit Young to cover for Tarrant. Both Short (calf) and Pickett (adductor) will be tests for next week, and if they pass, would replace Dow and Clarke respectively. Castagna, Edwards and Lambert have retired, while last year's round one starter Jake Aarts has been delisted. Clarke's had two strong pre-season matches, while Rioli jnr is now occupying Edwards' role. Taranto and Hopper have given the midfield a complete facelift. – Sarah Black


CARLTON

B: Mitch McGovern, Jacob Weitering, Nic Newman
HB: Sam Docherty, Lewis Young, Adam Saad
C: Lochie O'Brien, Adam Cerra, Blake Acres
HF: Jesse Motlop, Charlie Curnow, Zac Fisher
F: Jack Silvagni, Harry McKay, Matt Owies
FOLL: Marc Pittonet, Patrick Cripps, George Hewett
I/C: Matt Kennedy, Tom De Koning, Ollie Hollands, Lachie Cowan
EMERG: Lachie Plowman, Jack Martin, Ed Curnow, Josh Honey

NEW: Blake Acres, Ollie Hollands, Lachie Cowan

UNAVAILABLE: Zac Williams (knee), Lachie Fogarty (back), Sam Walsh (back), Corey Durdin (hamstring), Caleb Marchbank (calf), David Cuningham (shoulder), Sam Philp (foot), Jordan Boyd (foot), Matt Cottrell (foot)

NOTES: There remains some hope that Durdin will be fit following a hamstring injury, but whether the side risks him for round one is another question. McGovern would've returned from a back injury for the side's final practice match last week, if not for his partner giving birth to their child, so he will play. Marchbank is expected to miss the start of the season with a calf problem. Hollands and Cowan are nearing AFL debuts after promising blocks over the summer, with the latter just edging SSP recruit Alex Cincotta for a spot in the team. Pittonet appears to still be the side's No.1 ruck option, but De Koning might sneak into a taller forward set-up alongside Curnow, McKay and Silvagni to help overwhelm a Richmond backline that is missing Robbie Tarrant and Josh Gibcus. The Blues think Martin will be fit following a calf issue, but he remains on the outer. He could be a prime candidate to act as the side's substitute. – Riley Beveridge

https://www.afl.com.au/news/880190/mock-teams-who-s-in-your-club-s-best-22-for-round-one-

[one-eyed]

Biggest @mcg turf renewal since 2014 (when they re-did the whole surface). The Ed Sheeran concerts did a number on 10,000sqm of grass. It’s being replaced, the old dirt given to a MotorX event and by round 1 of @AFL the new turf should be just about perfect.

Watch: https://twitter.com/BlakeJohnson/status/1633294493394046976

[JP Tiger]

This last minute re-turfing combined with the weather forecast could make for some interesting conditions. 
Who knows how well the re-turfing will come up?  Could be anywhere from a putting green to a mud bash circuit.  The AFL have stuffed up re-surfacing before (wrong grass with shallow soil depth = Etihad-like skating rink), who knows what will be served up?   
Rain is unlikely with a high of 35 degrees forecast, but the humidity is likely to soar after sundown so slippery & dewy is possible late in the match.  So, hot & dry conditions for the kick off, descending into draining & slippery by the end.

All of that on new turf ...   

All up, I dunno what to expect.  All I know is that if anybody could stuff it up it's the AFL! 

Aaaand, of course, we get to try it out first!         

[mightytiges]

With Tarrant confirmed out, then Miller has to play in defence.

[Andyy]

With Tarrant confirmed out, then Miller has to play in defence.

Not Biggie?

Miller forward/ruck?